Killingly — Senior two-way tackle Alex Fontaine knows he’s very lucky to play football for Killingly. For many reasons.

It’s never been worse to be an offensive lineman than it is nowadays because passing has become the popular way to attack defenses. Linemen have to drop back into pass protection and absorb hits, rather than getting to hit someone while run blocking.

Killingly lets its offensive lineman deal out hits. A lot.

“I’m very lucky,” Fontaine said “Every other team comes and passes on us, and we’re just RPO, baby — run people over. Not run-pass option. Run people over.”

Berlin was the latest team that senior Spencer Lockwood, Fontaine and the rest of top-seeded Killingly ran over. Lockwood ran 30 times for 265 yards and four touchdowns as they crushed the fourth-seeded Redcoats on Sunday afternoon, 49-7, in a CIAC Class M semifinal.

“It’s so good,” Killingly head coach Chad Neal said. “I’m so happy for these kids. These kids do everything we ask. They’re special kids. We’ve got (another) week with them, and we’re going to make the best of this week.”

Killingly (12-0) will play sixth-seeded Barlow in Saturday’s final at a site and time to be announced.

Barlow (9-3) routed No. 7 SMSA/University/Classical, 53-14, in its semifinal.

The Redmen ran 52 times for 427 yards and seven touchdowns. They were able to mow down Berlin because, as blockers, they have an appetite for destruction. They often ran out of a two tight end set with two fullbacks and Lockwood lined up behind junior quarterback Luke Desaulnier.

Killingly seniors John Cacciapuoti (left tackle), Ethan Canova (left guard), Michael Diruscio (center), Jacob Gauthier (tight end), Zach Caffrey (fullback), Fontaine, and Lockwood, and juniors Matt Phelan (right guard), Quinn Gervasio (tight end), and Derek Turner (fullback) were all looking to smash someone.

“Their offensive line, they get off the ball and they go,” Berlin head coach Joe Aresimowicz said. “Even their receivers get off their blocks and they hold them. Lockwood is an incredible talent, and if you give him seams, he’s going to burn you, and it was very clear (today).

"We didn’t help ourselves, but even if we played perfect, I don’t know that the score would’ve been much different. ... I wouldn’t want to have to play them again.”

Lockwood became the sixth player in state history to rush for more than 3,000 yards in a season. He has run for 3,026 yards, sixth-best all-time according to the Connecticut High School Football Record Book.

“I have blocking all over the field,” Lockwood said. “I have blocking on the line, five yards past the line of scrimmage, I have blocking 15 yards downfield. It’s amazing. … Everyone does a great job.”

Caffrey ran nine times for 101 yards and two touchdowns and reserve quarterback Jacob Nurse also scored on a 1-yard touchdown.

Senior Zack Burgess had two interceptions for Killingly and Desaulnier added another. Desaulnier also made all seven of his extra points.

Kevin Dunn completed 5 of 19 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown for the Redcoats (9-3). Andrew Brochu (29 yards) caught the touchdown.

The Redcoats' touchdown came with four minutes, 25 seconds left in the first half.

Killingly responded with Lockwood scoring on an 8-yard run to give his team a 21-7 lead with 1:01 remaining in the half.

Lockwood ran for a 68-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half.

“I’m a firm believer if you can do that, get the last score of the first half and the first score of the second half, it’s a big, big advantage,” Neal said.

Aresimowicz said, “(At halftime) were saying, ‘the most important possession is this opening one. We’ve got to stop them here. We stop them here, we can score, we have a different game.’ And we couldn’t do it.”

n.griffen@theday.com